“Country without the ‘O'” – Four-Piece Anarcho-Anglo Folk-Rock from Cheltenham, UK.

Hotly tipped Cheltenham quartet, Jim Lockey & the Solemn Sun deliver their blend of Alt.County/Rock with the passion and vigor of the greats. Recently signed to Xtra Mile Recordings, and championed by label mate Frank Turner, the band have kicked off 2012 in earnest. These early months have seen the band named a s one of NME’s ‘bands to watch’, perform at SXSW Festival and release their eagerly awaited follow up to 2010’s ‘Atlases’ to critical acclaim and airplay on BBC Radio 1.

‘Death’ – released on 9th April 2012 through Xtra Mile Recordings – is a passionate, poetic and engaging album making them one of the most exciting new bands in British music. Produced by Peter Miles (King Blues, Crazy Arm, Futures) ‘Death’ encapsulates the band’s vast sound as the young quartet draw from a plethora of influences including alt.country folk and hardcore punk. Showcasing their incredible storytelling talent ‘Death’ takes listeners on a journey with soaring tracks such as ‘Everything And The Heart’ and ‘New Natives’ sitting elegantly with more stark songs like ‘Our Fathers’ which bring Jim’s incredible voice and lyrics to the fore. Glorious album opener, ‘England’s Dead’ – with its spiralling song structure – and anthemic follow up ‘A Song About Death’ alongside anarcho-folk banger ‘Warriors’ and the introspective ‘Home / Hospitals’ have secured the album accolades and support from contemporaries and press alike.

The bands visceral approach to live shows creates an innovative and arresting sound; crammed with hook -filled soaring harmonies, country/punk rhythms and passionately honest lyrics – likened to Bright Eyes, Frank Turner and The Gaslight Anthem In three short years these anarcho-anglo rockers have incessantly toured the country, including as main support on Frank Turner’s February 2011 UK Tour plus shows alongside the likes of Mumford & Sons, Dry the River, Johnny Flynn, Alessi’s Ark and Pete Doherty. In the 2011 they performed at numerous festivals such as the Big Chill, Beautiful Days, Wychwood and Y-Not, including a packed performance as headliners on the second stage at 2000trees